Dunkar Cave 1: Avalokitesvara Mandala

CHINA, Tibet, Ngari; Guge Kingdom

This mandala on the south wall of Cave 1 is divided into three sections: outer circle, inner square, inner circle. The entire mandala is framed within a square. The outer circle is connected to the inner square with four T-shaped gates. The inner circle is shaped like a lotus with eight petals.
The mandala contains 13 figures. The central figure, Four-Armed Avalokitesvara, sits with ankles crossed on a lotus throne. The three-eyed, white Bodhisattva wears a dhoti, ornaments, and a headdress decorated with an image of Amitabha Buddha. The Bodhisattva’s two left hands are at rest; one is on the lap and the other is on the knee. One of the right hands display the varada (wish-granting) mudra while the other is raised. Avalokitesvara has a red nimbus and an aureole formed by the center of the eight-petaled lotus.
Depicted within the eight lotus petals are various deities who sit facing Avalokitesvara. Four additional deities are found in the corners of the inner square. Two deer facing a Dharma wheel are painted on either side of the four gates. There are two decorative borders on the outer circle of the mandala; one consists of vajras, and the other of diagonal strokes.